Abstract: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system and a transmission based imaging system for a spectroscopic system as well as a probe head for a transmission based imaging system for a spectroscopic system and a corresponding transmission based imaging method. The spectroscopic system is preferably applicable to in vivo noninvasive blood analysis. Transmission based imaging makes use of a transmitted portion of an imaging or monitoring beam that has been transmitted through biological tissue. By means of transmission based imaging, a contrast decreasing impact of scattered radiation can be effectively reduced. Additionally, by arranging the imaging light source opposite to an objective lens of the spectroscopic system, unintended propagation of spectroscopic excitation radiation into free space can be effectively prevented.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spectroscopic system for determining a property of a fluid flowing through a volume of interest underneath the surface of the skin of a patient. The spectroscopic system comprises a probe head that has at least an objective for directing an excitation beam into the volume of interest and for collecting return radiation. The spectroscopic system has further a base station having at least a spectroscopic analysis unit and a power supply. The system makes use of a beam combination unit, a filter unit and a focusing unit for combining and separating a variety of different optical signals and for precisely positioning the optical signals inside the volume of interest. The beam combination unit, the filter unit and the focusing unit can be variably implemented inside the probe head or inside the base station depending on a specific applications of the spectroscopic system, thereby allowing for a flexible and compact design of the probe head.

Abstract: The present invention enables to determine the property of a fluid, such as for the purposes of in vivo blood analysis. First the position of a volume of interest through which the fluid flows is determined by means of an optical detection step by making use of an objective. Preferably the optical detection step is an imaging step. Next the objective is moved to bring the focal point of the objective to the volume of interest. In this position an optical spectroscopic step is performed. This has the advantage that the measurement beam for performing the optical spectroscopy travels along the optical axis for optimum efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for administering electromagnetic radiation to human tissue, in particular light to skin. The device comprises a treatment head with a recess (10) in which the light is emitted and in which the air pressure may be decreased by a pump (11). The device also comprises a pressure gauge (8) for measuring the pressure in the recess (10). Above a certain threshold value the device will not function, because this indicates an incorrect positioning of the device on the skin, which might cause harm to persons. By providing the pressure gauge (8), an operator may determine whether the positioning of the treatment head is correct. The device is advantageously automated in that the pressure gauge (8) is connected to control means (5) for controlling the source (3) of radiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for treating human skin by means of radiation. The device has a housing (5) with a radiation exit opening (13), a radiation source (9) which is accommodated in the housing, and a radiation path (15) between the radiation source and the radiation exit opening. A radiation filter (17) is provided in the radiation path. According to the invention the radiation filter (17) comprises water (23) which is in solid state at least during an initial phase of operation of the device (1). The water in solid state has an optical transmission spectrum which corresponds to the optical transmission spectrum of water in liquid state as present in the skin. As a result the water in solid state acts as an ideal filter for the IR light and near IR light, which would otherwise be absorbed by the water in the skin and cause unwanted heating of the skin.